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Minnesota Plant PressThe Minnesota Native Plant Society Newsletter
Volume 21 Number 2
Monthly meetingsMinnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge
Visitor Center, 3815 East 80th St.
Bloomington, MN 55425-1600
952-854-5900
6:30 p.m. Building east door opens6:30 p.m. Refreshments,
information, Room A
7 9 p.m. Program, society business7:30 p.m. Building door is locked
9:30 p.m. Building closes
ProgramsThe MNPS meets the first Thursday in
October, November, December, February,March, April, May and June. Check theWeb page for additional programinformation.
Feb. 7: Fire and Plants in the BoundaryWaters Canoe Area Wilderness, byDaren Carlson, DNR forest ecologist;Plant of the Month: Reed canary grass,by Julia Bohnen of the University ofMinnesota Landscape Arboretum.
March 7: Dwarf Mistletoe; Plant ofthe Month: Witch Hazel, both by DonKnutson, Biological Lab Services.
April 4: The Gypsy Moth inMinnesota, speaker to be announced;Place of the Month: Katharine Ordway
Natural History Study Area, by JanetEbaugh.
May 2: Gardening for Butterflies;Plant of the Month: A butterfly host ornectaring species, both by Dean Hanson.
June 6
Speaker to be announced; Plant Sale
MNPS Web sitehttp://www.stolaf.edu/depts./biology/mnps
Winter 2002
The 2002 MNPSsymposium, Preservingand Restoring NativeWetland Flora, will beSaturday, April 6, at the
Arboretum. See details on
page 5 of this issue.
Buckthorn has becomea pernicious invaderBy Janet R. Larson, Consulting Arborist and Master Gardener
(Part 1)About 150 years ago, a new immigrant was welcomed to North
America by a few well-meaning people. This immigrant was seen asan attractive, problem-free addition to our nation that would enhanceand beautify our gardens and landscape. But, over the decades, thisimmigrant would come to be seen as a pernicious invader and a threato our natural ecosystems. The welcome immigrant-turned-invaderis buckthorn.
After the primary loss of native plant habitat to development andagriculture, our native plants of the forest under-story are declining inmany areas. Throughout Minnesota and 26 other states, commonbuckthorn has been quietly invading. The under-story species of ourremnant woodlands and savannas, parks and woodlots, wetlands andfencerows, are not secure from this very successful competitor.
Buckthorn is an aggressive invasive species that has escaped fromcultivation and has been thriving unchecked for decades. Buckthornhas insidiously reached a critical mass and now occupies the under-story of valuable woodlands all across Minnesota, especially nearurban areas. Our native species both woody and herbaceous have all but disappeared from the lower canopies of the most severelyinfested areas. This is a problem.
The buckthorn conference: The Buck Stops Here! was held October3, 2001, at the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum inChanhassen. It was the first of its kind in Minnesota and was verywell attended. Approximately 150 people learned about not one, bu
two species of buckthorn invaders: Common buckthorn (Rhamnuscathartica) and glossy buckthorn (Frangula alnus formerly
Rhamnus frangula), includingTallhedge, Columnar, and Fernleafcultivars. Information onbuckthorns, biology, history, rangeand control was covered. Casestudies were described for projectsinitiated by the city of Minneapolisneighborhood groups, volunteercoordinators, and property owners
Continued on page 4
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MNPS Board ofDirectors
President: Joel Dunnette, 4526
Co. Rd. 3 S.W., Byron, MN 55920
507-284-3914 (W); 507-365-8091
(H); dunnette.joel@mayo.edu
Vice-President: Harriet Mason905 5th St., St. Peter, MN 56082-
1417; 507-931-3253;
cmason@gac.edu
Secretary: Deborah Strohmeyer
Education and Outreach Chair, 7900
Wyoming Ave. S., Bloomington, MN
55438; 952-943-9743;
debstrohmeyer@yahoo.com
Meredith Cornett, ConservationCommittee Co-Chair, 1520 N. 9th
Ave. E., Duluth, MN 55805; 218-
728-6258; mwc@duluth.com
Linda Huhn, 2553 Dupont Ave
S., Minneapolis, MN 55405; 612-
374-1435
Minnesota Native Plant Societys purpose
(Abbreviated from the bylaws)
This organization is exclusively organized and operated for educational
and scientific purposes, including the following:
1. Conservation of all native plants.
2. Continuing education of all members in the plant sciences.
3. Education of the public regarding environmental protection of plant
life.4. Encouragement of research and publications on plants native to
Minnesota.
5. Study of legislation on Minnesota flora, vegetation and ecosystems.
6. Preservation of special plants, plant communities and scientific and
natural areas.
7. Cooperation in programs concerned with the ecology of natural
resources and scenic features.
8. Fellowship with all persons interested in native plants through meetings,
lectures, workshops and field trips.
The MinnesotaNative Plant Society
The Minnesota Native Plant
Society is a tax-exempt 501 (c)(3)
organization as determined by the
U.S. Internal Revenue Service.
Dues for regular members are $12
per year; students and seniors, $8;
families, $15; institutions, $20;
donors, $25. All dues include a
newsletter subscription. Four issues
are published each year. Make
checks out to: Minnesota Native
Plant Society. Mail them to:
Minnesota Native Plant Society, 220
Biological Sciences Center, 1445
Gortner Ave., St. Paul, MN 55108.
Minnesota Plant PressThe Minnesota Plant Press is the
quarterly newsletter of the Minnesota
Native Plant Society. Articles are
welcomed. Write the editor, Gerry
Drewry, at 24090 Northfield Blvd.,
Hampton, MN 55031. Her phone is
651-463-8006; fax, 651-463-7086;
e-mail: gdrewry@infi.net.
Jason Husveth, 1284 N. Avon St.
St. Paul, MN 55117; 651-488-2692;
j.husveth@att.net
Janet Larson, 7811 W. 87th St.Bloomington, MN 55438; 952-941-
6876; janetlars@pclink.com
Esther McLaughlin, Biology
Dept., Augsburg College
Minneapolis, MN 55454; 612-330-
1074; mclaugh@augsburg.edu
Ethan Perry, Conservation
Committee Co-Chair, 1520 N. 9th
Ave. E., Duluth, MN 55805; 218-
728-6258; etperry@hotmail.com
Treasurer: David Johnson, 6437
Baker Ave. N.E., Fridley, MN 55432
763-571-6278;
david.johnson@usfamily.net
Listserve Coordinator: Charles
Umbanhowar, ceumb@stolaf.edu
Editor: Gerry Drewry, 651-463-
8006; gdrewry@infi.net
Tell us about your
conservation issuesDo you know of a conservation
issue affecting native plants inMinnesota that deserves moreattention? Other members wouldlike to know more about it. Some ofus may get involved or write letters
to the appropriate governmentofficials or the press, informing themof our views. But we cant act unlesswe know whats going on out therein the rest of the state.
Let Ethan Perry know about anyrelevant issues (see contactinformation on this page), and theywill be posted on the ConservationCommittee page of the MNPS Website (www.stolaf.edu/depts/biology/mnps/cc.html). You can visit the site
anytime to see what other membershave posted and how you can helpour native plants.
Joint shrub order offeredDeborah Strohmeyer will be
ordering shrubs from the OutbackNursery this spring and have themdelivered to her house. You maydovetail into her order. You wouldbe responsible for the full price ofyour order and for picking them upfrom her house. Call Deb at 952-
943-9743.
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Educating thepublic about
native plantsby Joel Dunnette, MNPS President
One of the stated purposes of
MNPS is to educate the public aboutnative plants. And boy, the publicdoes need education! I find that mostfolks have little understanding aboutplants, much less native ones. Whenpeople hear that I burn my prairie,most ask how I seed it for the comingyear they dont know aboutherbaceous perennials eventhough that is what they have in theirown lawns. With so littleunderstanding, it is easy to see why
there is little public demand forconserving native plants.
So what does the public need tolearn about native plants? And whatis our role in teaching them? Keepin mind that most folks know verylittle; not much beyond that you mowlawns, trees grow for a long time, andfarmers and gardeners grow cropsand flowers and vegetables that youplant from seed each year.
When I talk to groups about prairie,most are surprised to hear and see thediversity and beauty of native prairie.They dont realize the number ofdifferent plants, the variation withhabitat conditions, and the widevariety of ways of living that plantshave.
The publics knowledge of nativeplants is much like a kindergartnersknowledge of higher math. We dontneed to show them the beauty oftrigonometry or calculus they arejust learning to count! So where dowe start?
I feel that starting with the simpleconcept of native (or at least nativepre-settlement) natural communitiesis one simple yet powerful concept.If a person understands this, andcomes to value their continuing
existence, then they can be motivatedto take supportive actions. Theiractions may be simple and not verywell informed, but like a child
learning that 5 is bigger than 2, it is astep on a learning path.
Seeing the tremendous diversity ofa native plant community is anothergood starting point. Knowing thedetails of plant families is not neededto gain a sense of wonder andappreciation.
Seeing some real examples andhaving experiences is a mode that is
more powerful than words or images.Personal experience is often the bestteacher.
There are many people who in theirhearts favor conservation. But theymay lack the courage to stand alonein support of the natives. Sharingyour convictions can bring supportfrom surprising sources.
Helping people see and take theseand similar steps is well within theability of every MNPS member. Iwill do my part. How about you?
Think Native program tofocus on Bloomington gardensby Deborah Strohmeyer
We are pleased with the first years results of the Think Native program
In brief, the intent of this program is to encourage the awareness and use of
native plants. We assist homeowners with creating native plant gardens. Aportion of those who participate may also receive a grant of native plants
Think Native has a decentralized structure where project administrators
take responsibility for overseeing a defined area. This program also has a
designated fund (meaning administrative costs are borne by MNPS) forpurchasing plants.
In 2001 we began a pilot program
which Dave Crawford administered
in the White Bear Lake area. We
found the most difficult part of the
program was getting the word out so
that people would apply. We had
roughly 10 applications and were
able to award six grants of plants
each worth $200. Congratulations to
Peter and Diane Gits, Robin
Villwock, Carole Buchanan, Eva
Shipley, Deb Gardner, and Pat
Dahlman.
Partly because of the unusually hot
weather, the gardens were planted in
the fall. Dave took before pictures
and will be taking after pictures
this next year.
In 2002, we will target the city of
Bloomington, and Janet Larson will
be our program administrator
Deborah will be putting program
details and applications on the MNPS
website. We encourage MNPSmembers to apply. Please spread the
word we are now accepting
applications.
Remember also that donations to
this program are 100 percent tax
deductible. We welcome feedback
from any member. Further details
may be obtained by contacting
Deborah Strohmeyer.
Plymouth ExpoThe City of Plymouth Yard and
Garden Expo will be held Saturday,April 6, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. atPlymouth Creek Center. Forinformation, call Kris Hageman at763-509-5506.
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Following are some conferencehighlights.
Common buckthorn, also calledEuropean buckthorn, grows inupland woods, parks, fencerows,
yards, gardens, and waste places. Itwas first imported from Europe in the1800s and was used primarily inhedge plantings, but its been usedin shelterbelts and wildlife plantings,too. The plants shear nicely, whichcan reduce flowering and fruiting.The species became a problem whenhomeowners quit shearing. Shrubsthat have been allowed to grownaturally become small trees.Female plants produce vastquantities of black fruit that aretransported through bird droppings.The result is what we now see in thewoods and neighborhoods of 68 ofMinnesotas 87 counties.
Glossy buckthorn and its cultivarshave been used as upland landscapeshrubs; they thrive primarily in moistand wet soils. This species has spreadthrough wetland areas and adjacentwoods wherever there is a nearbyseed source. In heavily infested
areas, both common and glossybuckthorn will grow together inupland and lowland habitats. Weobserved this along the Bog BoardWalk and the Green HeronArboretum trails. Eighty years ago,Minneapolis school teacher andbotanist Eloise Butler wrote aboutthe invasiveness of glossy buckthornin her wildflower preserve.
Banned from nursery trade2001 was the first year that glossy
buckthorn and its cultivars could nolonger be sold in Minnesota. TheMinnesota Department ofAgriculture placed commonbuckthorn on the RestrictedNoxious Weed List in 1999 andincluded glossy buckthorn effectiveJan. 1, 2001. Common buckthornhasnt been sold since the 1930s,when research proved it was thealternate host of oat crown rust.However, birds continue to spread it
through their droppings. On theother hand, glossy buckthorn hasbeen sold in numbers as high as60,000 per year from wholesalers inMinnesota and Wisconsin for the last30 years.
Why it is so successful No predators eat the twigs or
seedlings; Longer growing season than our
natives, up to 58 days longer; Fibrous root system with
mycorrhizal benefits; Grows in many habitats due to
its tolerance of a wide range of soiland light conditions; Rapid growth rate; Vigorous re-sprouting after being
cut, up to 6 feet in one season; Copious fruit and seed producer; Glossy buckthorn produces
flowers and fruit from June throughSeptember on good sites (4 months!); Seeds are spread by birds; Seeds remains viable up to six
years in the soil; High seed germination rate.
Why buckthorn is bad It out-competes our native plants
for light, moisture, and nutrients;allelopathic chemicals are said to bein the fruit and leaves, inhibiting
germination and growth of natives. Its fruits are not a preferred foodsource for birds, but they are eatenwhen other foods have diminished.With native fruit-bearing plants onthe decline, theres not much else toeat. Its fruits are messy and a laxative
for birds; they stain cars, decks,concrete. Nesting birds are more prone to
predation in the lower canopy ofbuckthorns, so bird nesting success
rate is lower. It creates a nearly impenetrable
thicket, and dark under-story with noherb-layer. It has no fall color; leaves remain
green until November. It is an alternate host for crop
pests: soybean aphid and crown rustfungus of oats. It causes a safety concern for
park users in urban woodlands,because visibility is severely
reduced. (However, some propertyowners like the privacy buckthornprovides.) If left uncontrolled, it will turn
native woodlands into near-monocultures It is expensive and time-
consuming to remove once it reachesa critical mass.
After removal of adults, a groundcover of seedlings can emerge fromthe large seed bank in the soiltherefore, a long-term commitmentis needed with eradication efforts. Its hard, dense wood dulls saw
blades and is tiring to haul. Thorns on twig ends make
handling dangerous. The spread of the species
threatens the future of our woodlandsand wetlands.
One good featureBuckthorn is a beautiful golden-
orange to yellow and brown, densewood with a nice grain. Woodworkers make beautiful carvingsfrom this wood. Carvings andturnings were on display at theconference. We hope an industry wilemerge that will utilize this species
Control or reduction?Where buckthorn has not
completely infested an area, controlis a reality. Where it has created anear-monoculture throughout asizable area, reduction might be abetter reality than control. A singlestem of buckthorn cut down to theground, and not chemically treatedwill re-sprout from the stump andgrow many new stems up to 6 feet ina single season.
Time to applyFor larger buckthorn control
projects, some type of chemicaltreatment is the best control methodIt is important NOT to treat duringthe spring-flush growth period. Thisis a time when the plant is using itsstored energy reserves to grow, fromthe break of dormancy in late Marchuntil about June 1.
[Part 2 of this report, in the nextissue, will discuss buckthorn contro
in more detail.]
Continued from page 1
Buckthorn
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by Hannah Dunevitz, Regional PlantEcologis t, Na tural HeritageProgram, Minnesota DNR. Abstractof plant-of-the-month talk Dec. 6,2001.
At first glance, the rough-seeded
fameflower (Talinum rugospermum),a little eight-inch-tall plant, seems anunlikely candidate for the namefameflower. It is not particularlyspectacular or well-known. Its namederives from the curious feature ofits precise but short blooming time.Flowers are open only between 3 and
6 p.m. and, as the saying goes,fame is fleeting. Other species of
Talinum bloom at different times; theclosely related but more easterlyoccurring Talinum teretifoliumblooms between noon and 3 p.m.The reason for the specific bloomingtime ofTalinum species is unknown,but it may be related to the habits ofsweat bees, which appear to be theprimary pollinators of this genus.
The rough-seeded fameflower is asucculent plant that occurs in harsh,very dry environmen ts. It is
generally found in sand prairie andsand savanna native plancommunities, but it also occursoccasionally on rock outcrops. FredHarris, a plant ecologist with theMinnesota DNR, found in his studies
of the physiology ofTalinum that ican survive in these environments inpart because of its specializedphotosynthetic pathways. Whenthere is sufficient moisture, it uses C3photosynthesis, in which stomata areopen and carbon dioxide can flowfreely into the plant. Under very dryconditions, however, Talinumswitches to a specialized version ofCAM photosynthesis, in whichstomata stay closed and oxygen andcarbon dioxide circulate within the
plant. The succulent leaves of theplant also help by storing moisturejust as those of cacti do.
Rough-seeded fameflower is amember of the purslane family(Portulacaceae), along with betterknown species such as Gardenpurslane and Spring beauty. Theflowers ofTalinum rugospermum areabout one centimeter across, havefive roseate petals, two sepals, athree-lobed style, 12 to 25 stamens
and rough, finely wrinkled seedsThey bloom in July and Augustsometimes twice in any given seasonPlants have short, narrow, succulentleaves and taproots.
Talinum rugospermum is a state-endangered species in Minnesotaand is rare throughout most of itsrange. It occurs only in the UnitedStates, in the Midwest, in Texas andLouisiana. In Minnesota, 24occurrences have been documentedall within 10 sites in the east-centraand southeastern parts of the stateSand prairie and savanna habitatsinclude Kellogg-Weaver DunesScientific and Natural AreaWhitewater Wildlife ManagementArea, and Cannon River WildernessPark, Rice County. In these placesvegetation is sparse and the sand iscontinually shifting. The species alsooccurs in very small populations onbasalt and sandstone outcrops.
Rough-seeded fameflower
Drawing by Vera Ming Wong inMinnesota Endangered Floraand Fauna, reprinted withpermission. 1988, State ofMinnesota, Department of NaturalResources.
Wetlands are
symposium topicMark your calendars now for the
2002 MNPS Symposium,Preserving and Restoring NativeWetland Flora, to be held at theUniversity of Minnesota Arboretum
in Chanhassan Saturday, April 6,from 8:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.Registration will open in theArboretum auditorium at 8:15 a.m.
This symposium is co-sponsoredby MNPS and the Arboretum. In themorning, there will be two excellentspeakers. Dr. Susan Galatowitsch, aprofessor of landscape ecology at theUniversity of Minnesota, willaddress restoring native wetland flora
within agricultural and urbanwetlands. Julia Bohnen, who hasworked with Dr. Galatowitsch sincethe inception of the Spring PeeperMeadow restoration project, willdiscuss the project history, process,and site-specific design solutions forrestoring a diverse native wetlandcommunity to the meadow.
Topics of afternoon workshops arehow to use taxonomic keys forbeginning wetland plant
identification; advanced wetlandplant identification; how to use theDNRs new Lakescaping CD toselect plants for lakeshorerestorations; and guided tours ofSpring Peeper Meadow. Eachattendee may participate in twoworkshops. You may also explore the
Arboretum on your own.
The cost is $35 for members ofMNPS and the Arboretum and $45for non-members. The fee includesgate admission, continentalbreakfast, lunch and handouts. Non-members may join either group at thetime of registration. Members of bothorganizations will receive a brochurein a separate mailing. Register soon,as space is limited.
Potential exhibitors or co-sponsorsshould contact Shirley MahKooyman at 952-443-1516, or e-mailher at shirley@arboretum.umn.edu.
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Three members nominated forpositions on societys board
New plants areappearing in Nebraska
Several plants are expanding theirranges in Nebraska, according to BobKaul, a friend of MNPS memberTom Morley. Kaul is plotting themovements of Crepis tectorium(narrow-leaved hawks-beard)
which is spreading southwestwardfrom Iowa into northeasternNebraska. Exotic woody plants thatare expanding fast are Rosamultiflora, Ailanthus altissimaElaeagnus umbellate, andLoniceramaackii. Morus alba and Maclurapomifera are already at alarminglevels. Tree-of-heaven is formingdense thickets and invading nativeprairies in the countryside.
Prunus serotina, originally native
here only near the Missouri Riverhas spread madly westward to thecentral counties, Kaul wroteAnother native plant thats spreadfrom riverside counties is the dreadedhoneyvine, Cynachum leave, whichis as bad as bindweed but growsmuch larger, climbing 30 feet into thetrees. Its strangling soybeans andcorn in the fields, and here in Lincolnit drapes shrubs and fences.
Members will fill three boardpositions at the March meeting.Biographies of those nominated at
this time follow.
Don KnutsonDon Knutson is a former board
member and past president of theMinnesota Native Plant Society. Hisprofessional work at Biological LabServices concerns mold fungi. Heperforms mold-fungi analysis inbuildings and tests manufacturedproducts for susceptibility to fungaldegradation.
Don is working on the natural
history of black spruce dwarfmistletoe, with emphasis on seedlinginoculations: The idea is to have aforest of infected spruce seedlingsin pots so as to be able to study tree-mistletoe interactions as a functionof host nutrition, day length andtemperature and so on, he wrote.Are mycorrhizal associates thesame on infected and uninfectedblack spruce? Are sex ratios alteredby environmental influences? Likemost native plants, we know so little
about this one that studies neednecessarily to be concerned withbasic biological information. Donwill speak about this project at theMarch 7 MNPS meeting.
Jason HusvethJason Husveth has been a member
of the Minnesota Native PlantSociety since 1998 and a boardmember since the summer of 2001.He is responsible for organizingfield trips for 2001-2002. He led a
field trip to the Anoka Sand Plainand a winter botany workshop at theWildlife Refuge in 2001. Jasonassisted with producing andillustrating the 2001 MNPSsymposium brochure, and has a moreactive role in planning this yearssymposium. He has spoken atseveral meetings.
Jason moved to Minnesota in 1995to pursue his masters degree at theUniversity of Minnesota. His thesis
focused on land use and watershedurbanization impacts to Minnesotasnative wetland flora and fauna. Heholds a bachelors degree in
Environmental Planning and Design/Landscape Architecture fromRutgers University. He is self-employed as a landscape ecologistand botanist. As a board member,he is most interested in providingnumerous opportunities for membersto experience Minnesotas nativeflora in the field and to provideaccess for members to learn about themany native plant-related resources.
Douglas Mensing
Douglas Mensing is a seniorecologist and manager of the TwinCities office of Applied EcologicalServices, Inc. He has 10 years offield and research experience inecological, biological, andenvironmental sciences.
Doug is a Professional WetlandScientist (PWS) certified by theSociety for Wetland Scientists and avolunteer supervisor for Great RiverGreening restoration events. He
received a bachelors degree inEnvironmental Science fromValparaiso University, Valparaiso,Ind., and a masters degree inConservation Biology from theUniversity of Minnesota. AtMinnesota, his graduate researchassistantship under Dr. SusanGalatowitsch focused on assessingwetland quality using ecologicalindicators. His independent researchinvolved investigating the effects ofhuman activities on the biodiversity
of riparian wetlands and on spatio-temporal changes in wetlandvegetation community patterns.
I would be honored to representthis organization as a Board memberin order to further theaccomplishments of the Society,Doug wrote. In particular, I wouldlike to increase field tripopportunities and increase theMNPSs exposure through moreoutreach and educational activities.
Conferences scheduledMedicinal, aromatic plants
The PCAs Medicinal PlanWorking Group will hold its firstsymposium, Industrial Leadershipfor the Preservation of Medicinal andAromatic Plants, Feb. 26 and 27 inPhiladelphia, Penn. Information isavailable on the Web atwww.plantconservat ion .org /mpwgconference.
Michigan wildflowersThe 15th annual Michigan
Wildflower Conference will beMarch 3 and 4 at Michigan StateUniversity, East Lansing, MichInformation is available atwww.wildflowersmich.org.
Ephemeral wetlandsThe EPA Region 5 MidwestEphemeral Wetlands Conferencewill be in Chicago Feb. 20 and 21Information is at www.epa.gov/R5water/ephemeralwetlands
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Plant Loreby Thor Kommedahl
What is Labrador tea?
Labrador tea is Ledum
groenlandicum in the heath family
Recent DNA studies may lead to its
being renamed a species ofRhododendron.
Why is it called by this name?
Ledum is an old Greek name for
rockrose (Cistus) which produces a
similar fragrance. Tea is brewed from
dried leaves by the native peoples of
Labrador and elsewhere. Thoreau in
1858 noted that it has a rather
agreeable fragrance, between
turpentine and strawberries.What kind of a plant is it?
It is a low northern shrub (1-3 feet)
with leathery, evergreen leaves that
have rolled edges and white or rusty
hairs underneath. Twigs are also
hairy. Small white flowers are seen
in clusters in May-June or later
Leaves are fragrant when crushed.
Where is it found?
It grows in sphagnum bogs andother wet habitats usually in woods
in Northeastern Minnesota (north of
the tension zone) and elsewhere in
subarctic Canada and in Greenland.
Is it edible, toxic, or medicinal?
Its use as food is limited to tea. Tea
from leaves are rich in vitamin C. A
toxic substance known as ledol
occurs in European species but has
not been reported for NorthAmerican species. American Indians
used the plant as a tonic, and to treat
colds, arthritis, and headaches.
Are there other uses?
Leaves have been used to repe
moths in clothes, and put in grain to
repel mice. Decoctions kill lice and
other insects, but plants are browsed
by caribou and moose.
Fighting Urban Sprawl(Notes from MNPS talk Oct. 4, 2001 by Lee Ronning, President and CEO
of 1000 Friends of Minnesota)
Minnesota is losing approximately 12,000 acres of farmland every year
to urbanization. Nationwide, the loss is 1.5 to 2 million acres per year. This
loss is especially ominous because urban-influenced counties produce 87
percent of our nations fruit, 86 percent of our vegetables, 79 percent of ourmilk, 47 percent of our grain and 45 percent of our nations meat products.
Because of this urban sprawl, the U.S. will cease exporting food by 2025,
according to David Pimentel of Cornell University. All of our food products
will be needed to feed our own population.
Suburban sprawl in Minnesota is increasing faster than our population is
growing. From 1992 to 1997, average annual population growth in the
seven-county metro area was 1.4 percent; average annual increase in acres
of land converted to urban uses was 5.3 percent. Statewide figures are similar.
1000 Friends of Minnesota is leading the Smart Growth campaign. This
organization is seeking to bring together a network of diverse groups to stop
urban sprawl and create smart regional patterns of development in the Twin
Cities and throughout the state. Smart Growth accepts the fact that growth
is happening, and attempts to find a balance between growth and other
community values, such as environmental preservation and social equity.
Smart Growth is collaborative in nature, and includes business partnerships.
Smart Growth tools available for protecting natural resources and
agricultural lands include comprehensive planning, conservation zoning
techniques, Right-to-Farm ordinances, tax incentives, agricultural economic
development and farm transfer planning . Three incentive-based toolsthat are relatively new in Minnesota are conservation easements, purchased
development rights and transfer of development credits.
Conservation easements are voluntary agreements that permanently restrict
future development while retaining other property rights. The land remains
in private ownership and on the tax roles; no public access is required. The
easements are held by a land trust or government agency to ensure long-
term monitoring and protection. Purchased development rights are often
established by units of government to provide a mechanism to pay for
conservation easements. This incentive-based tool helps keep the agricultural
economy viable. The land remains in private ownership and on the tax
roles. The Minnesota Legislature recently passed enabling legislation.
Transfer of development credits simultaneously protects open space while
allowing more compact development in areas best suited for it. Development
credits are purchased from sending areas and applied to receiving areas,
where greater density is allowed. The price is set by private markets.
In addition to its work with Smart Growth, 1000 Friends is working with
the Green Corridor project in Chisago and Washington counties, the
Farmland and Natural Areas project in Dakota County, the Department of
Agriculture and the Department of Natural Resources.
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Winter 2002 Issue
Minnesota Native Plant Society
University of Minnesota
220 Biological Sciences Center
St. Paul, MN 55108
NON-PROFIT ORG.
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PAIDMinneapolis, MN
Permit No. 2233